MEDIA ADVISORY: A Mock Election for the Homeless / A group of individuals with lived experience help the homeless exercise their right to vote

CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/18/15 -- On Monday, September 21st, the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) will host its first mock election for those experiencing homelessness. In the afternoon on the 21st , four Calgary locations, the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre, YMCA Mary Dover House, Alpha House and the Alex Youth Centre will each have a polling station set up for their clients to experience the voting process.

The purpose of the staged election is to remove the barriers to voting that those experiencing homelessness, face. Mirroring the process of a formal election, the mock election will give those who attend an overview of what is required to successfully vote as well as a simulation of the process itself. In the homeless sector, voting in an election is not a common practice. The Calgary Homeless Foundation is ensuring that the individuals voting will be informed about resources such as how to obtain valid forms of identification and how to register to vote.

WHAT:   Organized by the CHF Client Action Committee (CAC), a group of
        individuals with lived experience of homelessness, the mock election
        is designed to educate and empower those living in homelessness to
        vote. Designed to mimic a polling station, clients will be able to
        experience the voting process firsthand to remove as many barriers
        as possible to voting in the federal election on October 19th.

WHEN:   Monday, September 21, 2015

WHERE:  The Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre (1 Dermot Baldwin Way SE) (2-6
        p.m.)

        YWCA Mary Dover House (320-5thAve SW) (2-6 p.m.)

        Alpha House (203 15 Ave SE)
        (1:30-3:30 p.m.)

        The Alex Youth Centre (1116 Centre St NE) (12-6 p.m.)

About CHF

The Calgary Homeless Foundation acts as a catalyst and enabler for Systems and Service Agencies to optimize client success. CHF focuses on four strategic pillars of work; Advocacy, Research and Development, Systems Planning, and Funding, (outcomes). In addition, CHF addresses gaps and identifies best practices to improve the system of care. Through mobilization of collective impact, CHF is committed to moving forward in partnership with the many homeless- serving agencies, the private sector, government partners, the faith community, other foundations and all Calgarians to end homelessness in Calgary once and for all. For more information, visit www.calgaryhomeless.com.

Contacts:
Calgary Homeless Foundation
Darcy Halber
Communications Specialist
Cell: 403 615 7607
[e-mail]